Brick cleaning machine



Juhe 27 1933. N LE E M 1,915,751

BRICK CLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26,1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 G o 7' N R E. s

INVENTOR5. {k Gay 0. Nob/e A TTORNEYS June 27, 1933. G. a. NOBLE ET AL BRICK CLEANING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I r -I k.

Filed Aug. 25, 1931 June 27, 1933; G NOBLE E M 1,915,751

mucx CLEANING momma Fi led Aug. 26 1931 s Sheets-Sheet s I 0/171 Qu/g/e' mm wL A Time/ 1E VS Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orr cs GUY G. NOBLE, F TULARE, AND OLIN P. QI TIGLEY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA BRICK CLEANING MACHINE Application filed August 26, 1931. Serial No. 559,570.

Our invention relates to and has for a purpose the provision of a machine for reclaim ing used, bricks by the removaltherefrom, of all extraneous substances such as mortar or other binder which has been employed to form a physical bond between adjacent bricks in a building structure.

' It is a further purpose of our invention to provide a brick cleaning machine capable of rapidly operating upon all surfaces of bricks to be cleaned, and in a manner to com pensate for variations in dimensions of the bricks as Well as variations in thickness of the mortar layer, all while insuring that the bricks Will be thoroughly cleaned Without dangerof breaking, chipping, or otherwise damaging the bricks.

We will describe only one form of brick cleaning machine embodying our invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing in plan, one form of brick cleaning machine embodying i our invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the brick cleaning machine in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation looking at the side of. the machine reverse from that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 isa transverse and vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an'enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, our invention in its present embodiment, comprises a skeleton frame F of rectangular outline on which is supported three cleaning units designated generally at U, U and U and to which the bricks are successively fed, each unit cleaning two sides of a brick so that all six sides of the bricks will be entirely cleaned of extraneous substances.

rotation of the latter in the direction of the The cleaning unit U comprises a pair of disks 10 and 11, the disk 10 being fixed to a shaft 12 journaled horizontally in bearings 13 supported from the frame F above the latter and extending longitudinally of the frame. The disk 11 is fixed to a sleeve 14 slidably mounted on the shaft 12 and havmg its end adjacent the disk 10, slotted longi-' tudinally at diametrically opposed points as indicated at 15 to receive keys .16 fixed to the shaft 12.

The slots and keys co-act to provide a splined connection between'the disk 11 and the shaft so that the disks will rotate as a unit with the shaft while permitting the disk 11 to shift longitudinally of the shaft. The disk 11 is normally urged by a coil spring 16, towards the disk 10, to the position shown in the drawings, and wherein the disks are spaced apart a predetermined distance in ac-. cordance with the length of bricks to be cleaned.

The confronting surfaces of the disks 10 and 11 are inclined radially as indicated at 17 and 18 respectively, so that such confronting surfaces flare relatively to each other radially outward to the peripheries of the disks, with the inner portions of the confronting surfaces parallel as indicated respectively at 19 and 20, all for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Cutter bars 21 having spaced apart and angularly disposed teeth 22 are detachably secured by bolts 23 to the confronting surfaces of the disks 10 and 11 so as to eo-act in effecting a shearing cut into the mortar on the ends of a brick as the latter is fed angentially between the disks during rapid arrow in Figure 4. The disks are provided with slots 23 adjacent the cutter bars, through which the removed mortar is free to discharge in order to prevent clogging of the teeth. The shaft 12 is driven from a main shaft 24 journaled horizontally above the frame F in bearings 25, so as to extend transversely of the frame. Fixed to the main shaft 24 is a bevel gear 26 with which meshes a second 103 to mechanism for feeding bricks to the cleanbevel gear 27 fixed to a shaft 28 disposed at an angle to and operatively connected to the shaft 12 by a universal joint 29 so that as the main shaft is driven from a suitable source of power (not shown) the power will be transmitted to the shaft 12 to drive the latter.

Fixed to one end of the main shaft 24 is a small sprocket wheel 30 about which is trained an endless chain 31 also trained about a relatively large sprocket wheel 32 fixed to a countershaft 33 journaled in bearings 34 in the frame F so as to be disposed horizontally and extend transversely of the frame. Also fixed to the counter shaft 33 is a small sprocket wheel 35 about which is trained a chain 36 also trained about a large sprocket wheel 37 fixed to a'crankshaft 38 journaled in bearings 39 so as to be disposed horizontally and extend-transversely of the frame.

' The crankshaft 38 is operatively connected ing unit U and then to the cleaning unit U which latter comprises a pair of relatively large disks 40 and 41 identical in construction to the cleaning disks 10 and 11 of the unit U, with the exception that the cutter bars 42 thereof which are detachably secured by bolts 43 to the confronting sides of the disks so as to extend radially of the disks,

-have cutter pins 44 arranged in two rows throughout the lengths of the bars.

The disks 40 and 41 are horizontally disposed, and the disk 40 is fixed to a tubular shaft or sleeve 45 journaled in bearings 46 and having fixed thereto a bevel gear 47 meshing with a bevel gear 47 a secured to one end of a horizontal shaft 48 journaled in bearings 49. To the other end of the shaft 48 is fixed a bevel gear 50 meshing with a second bevel gear 51 fixed to the lower end of a verticalshaft 52 journaled in bearings 53 in the frame. To the upper end of the shaft 52 is fixed a bevel gear 54 which meshes with the bevel gear 26 on the main shaft 24 to the end that the sleeve 45 and hence the disk 40 will be driven by the main shaft.

The disk 41 is fixed to a shaft 55 slidably mounted in the sleeve 45 and having diametrically opposed keys 56 entering slots 56 in'the upper end of the sleeve 45 to provide a splined connection operating to drive the disks 40 and 41 as a unit in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. A coil spring shaft 55 and an adjusting screw 57 threaded into the lower closed end of the sleeve 45 and provided with a lock nut 58, tends to urge the disk 41 upwardly to a greater or less extent depending on the adjusted position of the screw 57, so as to varythe effective weight of the disk imposed upon a brick.

It will be clear that should the thickness of a brick forced between the disks, be in excess of that for which the unit has been set,

that the disk 41 will be free to move upwardly to prevent damage to the brick.

The brick feeding mechanism above referred to comprises a brick feeding ram R in the form of a U-shaped yoke the vertical arms 60 of which are spaced apart a distance less than the length of a brick. The ram is pivoted by bolts 61 on bars 62 connected in definite spaced relation by a tie bolt 63 providing a stop engaged by the ram to limit its pivotal movement in one direction. The lower ends of the bars are fixed to a rock shaft 64 journaled in bearings 65 in the frame F so as to be disposed horizontally and extend longitudinally of the frame.

A bell crank lever 66 is fixed to a vertical rock shaft 67 journaled in bearings 68 on the frame F and one arm 69 of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected by a link 70 toa second link 71 pivotally connecting one-- on the frame. The other arm 74 of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected at 75 to one end of a link 7 6 pivotally connected at its other end as indicated at 77 to-a connecting rod 78. The connecting rod is pivotally connected at 79 to a crank 38 provided on the crankshaft 38, to the end that when the latter is driven fromthe main shaft 24, the brick feeding ram R will be alternately advanced and retracted.

Horizontal and vertical guide plates .80 and 81 respectively co-act to define a U- shaped guideway through which a brick placed against a stop 82, is moved by thev arms 60 of the ram B when the ram is moved forwardly from the retracted position shown in Figure 4. Should a brick be placed against the stop 82 when the ram occupies other than its fully retracted position, the arms 60 will strike the brick and cause the ram to swing about the bolts 61 until the upper ends of the arms pass beneath the brick. As the ram approaches fully retracted position, the upper ends of the arms clear the brick, permitting the ram to reversely swing and come to rest against the tie bolt 63, in which position the upper portions of the ram arms are disposed to engage and advance the brick between the disks 10 and 11 as the ram is moved forward. 1

A second ram R in the form of a relatively narrow yoke, has the free ends of its arms 83 ivoted at 84 to the upper end of a bar 85 fixed to a horizontal rock shaft 86 journaled in bearings'87 in the frame F to extend transversely of the latter. The free end of the connecting rod 78 is pivotally connected at 88 to the bar 85 so that as the crankshaft 38 is rotated, the rock shaft 86 will be oscillated to alternately advance andretract the ram R.

The forward closed end of the ram R rides upon spacedapart guide plates89 extending longitudinally of the frame and disposed to eia-1.51

and 11, tangentially between the cleaning disks 40 and 41 of the unit 'U under the ac tion of the ram R.

It will be noted that the movements of the rams R and R are so synchronized, that as the ram R moves-forward to advance bricks successively between the disks 10 and 11 of the unit U, that the ram R will be retracted to a suflicient extent enabling the foremost brick, passing from between thedisks l0 and 11 onto the guide plates 89, to'be cleared bythe forward end of the ram R, sothat the latter during its next forward stroke, will advance this brick in a direction at a right angle to its previous direction of movement, towards the cleaning disks 4O and41 of the cleaning unit U'.

A movable abutment A in the form of curved arm 91, is pivoted at 92 on a bracket- 93 rising from theframe F. The arm extends longitudinally above vthe guideway defined by the plates 89 and 90, and its forward free end; isprovided with across bar 94 normally resting upon the upper edges of the vertical guide plates 90 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. As a brick. delivered into the path of movement of the ramB', is forced forward by the latter,

the brick engages the.underside of the curved arm 91 and cams the arm upwardly to enable the brick to pass the forward end of the arm, after which the arm gravitates to its "normal position and functions to prevent retrograde movement of the brick as would otherwise occur due to the action of the cleaning disks 40 and 41 in resisting the feeding of previously introduced bricks, between the disks for cleaning as will be understood. f

As the bricks pass from between the disks 40 and 41, they are successively forced by the action of the ram R against the last brick mounted on the shaft 24 and is normall'yurged towards the disk 95 to the position shown in Figure 1, by a coil spring 98. Keys 99 on the shaft 24, entering longitudinal slots 100 in one end of the sleeve 97, co-act in providing a splined connection operative to rotate both disks as a unit with the shaft 24. The spring 98 which yieldingly maintains the disks 95.

and 96 in the spaced apart relation shown in accordance with the expected maxlmum width idewayto bricks of slightly diiferent dimenslons as -well as layers of mortar of ditferent'thickof bricks to be cleaned, 'permitsthe disk 96 to move away from the disk 95should any brick be excess of this width, to the end of automatically accommodating these disks as well as those of the cleaning units U and U,

nesses on the bricks.

The operation of the machine is as follows With the disks of the several units U, U, and U being driven and the rams R and- R alternately advanced and retracted as above described, bricks to be cleaned are manually placed singly and successively against the stop 82 so that as each succeeding brick is advanced by the ram R, a row of bricks will accumulate in the. guideway' defined by the guide plates 80 and. 81, the bricks being successively forced between the disks 10 and 11 so that the teeth 22 of the cutter bars 21' will co-a-ct in removing all mortar from the ends of the bricks. Due to the flared entrance opening between the disks, providedby the inclined-peripheral portions 17 and 18 of the confronting surfaces of the disks, the mortar will be gradually removed from the brick ends until the brick is fully introduced and passes between the parallel portions of the cutter bars 21 overlying the central par:

allel portions 19 and 20 of the disks. The danger of chipping or breaking the brick is thus eliminated; and in order to prevent the bricks being thrown out from between the disks under the rotational movement of the latter, stop plates 101 extending from the guide plates 81, project between the disks above the intended bricks.

The bricks are then successively delivered into the guide plates 89 in the path of adpath of movement of the vancing movement of the ram R so that a relatively wide sides and thenthe relatively,

narrow sides of the bricks are cleaned of all extraneous substances. The now completely cleaned bricks can be manually removed from the machine or delivered to a suitable conveyor (not shown) as desired.

It will thus be manifest that all surfaces of the bricks will becleaned automatically in a continuous operation, it only being necessary to supply a brick to, the machine each time the preceding-brick is advanced by the ram R. The construction and mounting of the several pairs of cleaning disks forms a.vital feature of our invention, bywhich the removal of all extraneous substances from the bricks is insured, and in a manner to prevent any damage to the bricks, by the gradual removal of the mortar until the bricks are fully introduced between the pairs of disks, all while automatically compensating for variations in dimensions of the bricks and variations in thickness of the mortar on the bricks.

Although We have herein shown and described only one form of brick cleaning machine embodying our invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modilications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

lVe claim:

1. In a brick cleaning machine, a pair of cleaning disks supported in side by side spaced relation for rotation about a common axis, means defining a guideway for supporting bricksifor movement towards the space between the disks, a ram, means on which the v ram pivot-ed, for mounting the ram for movement bodily to advance abrick through said guideway, means for limiting pivotal movement of the ram in one (lllBCtlOIl, the

ram being free to pivot in the reverse directioii so that should a brick be placed in the path of the ram when retracting, the ram in striking the brick can pivot sufiicicntly to pass the brick, and means for urging the ram to pivot in the first mentioned direction.

2. In a brick cleaning machine, a pair of cleaning disks supported in side by side spaced relation for rotation about a common axis, means defining a guideway for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks, a rain, means for mounting the ram for movement to advance a brick throughsaid guideway, and means for actuating the ram, the ram comprising a pivoted yoke havingspaced apart arms projecting into the guideway for engagen'i-ent with a brick, means for limiting pivotal movement of the yoke in'one direction, and means for urging the yoke in said direction.

3. In a brick cleaningimachine a plurality of cleaning units each comprising a pair of cleaning disks mounted in side by side spaced relation for rotation about a common axis, means defining guideways disposed at an angle to each other, one for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of one cleaning unit and the other for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of the other cleaning unit, reciprocable rains one for each cleaning unit, and means including a positivelyoperatingdriving connection between the rams for actuating the rains in suchtiined relationship that bricks successively advanced by one ram through the guidewayand between the 'disks of the first unit into the path of movement of the other ram, will be successively advanced by the other ram through the guideway and between the disks of the second unit.

-'1-. In a brick cleaning machine a plurality of cleaning units each comprising a pair of cleaning disks mounted in side by side spaced relation for rotation about a common axis, means defining guideways disposed at an angle to each other, one for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of one cleaning unit and the other for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of the other cleaning unit, rams one for each cleaning unit, means for actuating the rains in such timed relationship that bricks successively advanced by one ram through the guideway and between the disks of the lirst unit into the path of movement of the other ram, will be successively advanced by the other ram through the guideway and between the disks of the second unit, and means for preventing retrograde movement. of bricks advanced by said other ram.

In a brick cleaning machine a plurality of cleaning units each comprising a pair oi cleaning disks mounted in side by side spaced relation for rotation about a. common axis, means defining guideways disposed at an angle to each other, one for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of one cleaning unit and the other for supporting bricks for movementtowards the space between the disks of the other cleaning unit, rams one for each cleaning'unit. means for actuating the rams-in such timed relationship that bricks successively advanccd by one rani through the guideway and between the disks of the first unit into the path of movement of the other ram, will be successively advanced by the other rain through the guideway and between the disks of the second unit, and a movable abutment normally urged into the path of. movement of bricks advanced by said other ram, so as to prevent retrograde movement of the abutment, being constructed to be moved by the bricks sufficiently to permit the bricks to pass the abutment.

6. In a brick cleaning machine a plurality of cleaning units each comprising a pair of cleaning disks mounted in side by side spaced relation for rotation about 'a common axis, means defining guideways disposed at an angle to each other, one for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of one cleaning unit and the other for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of the other cleaning unit, rams one for each cleaning unit, means for actuating the rams in such timed relationship that bricks successively advanced by one ram through the guideway and between the disks oi the first unit into the path of movement of the other ram, will be successively advanced by the other ram through the guideway and between the disks of the second unit, and a pivoted arm normally urged to dispose its free end into the path of movement of bricks advanced by said other ram,

so as to prevent retrograde movement of the I bricks, and being cammed by the bricks out of the path of movement of the bricks.

7. In a brick cleaning machine a pluralit of cleanin units each comprising a pair o cleamng isks mounted 1n side by slde spacedrelation for rotation about a common axis, means defining guidewa s disposed at an angle to each other, one or supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of one cleaning unit and the other for supporting bricks for movement towards the space between the disks of the other cleaning unit, means for advancing, bricksthrough the guideway of the first unit v between the disks thereof into the guideway for the second unit, means for advancing bricks through the guideway for the second unit towards the disks of the latter, in timed relationship to the delivery of bricks to said guideway, and means for preventin retrograde movement of bricks advance in the V guideway for the second unit.

5. In a brick-cleaning machine, a cleaning unit comprislng: a pair of cleaning disks;

means formounting the disks for rotation .for cleaning;

about a vertical axis while rendering the upperdisk axially movable so that it; will be normally urged downwardly by its own weight; means for limiting the downward movement of. the upper disk to a position spaced from the lower disk so as to permit a brick to beintroduced between and means for exerting an upward force a ainst the upper disk so as to reduce the eii ective weight thereofimposed on a brick between the disks.

9. In a brick cleaning machine, a cleaning .unitcomprising': a pair of cleaning disks;

means for mounting thepdi sks for rotation about a vertical axis while rendering the upper disk axially movable so that it will be normally urged downwardly by its own weight; means for limiting the downward movement of the upper disk to a position spaced from the lower disk so as to permit a between the disks; and means by which the brick to .be introduced between the disks for cleaning; means for exerting an upward force against the upper disk so as to reduce the eifectiveweiglit thereof imposed on a brick last'means-can be adjusted to vary the force exerted thereby and-hence vary the eiiective weight of the upper disk on the brick.

the disks 10. 'In abrick cleaning machine, a cleaning'unit comprising: a pan of cleaning disks; means for mounting the disks for rotation about a vertical axis while rendering the upper disk axially movable so that it will be normally urged dowiiwardly by its own weight; means for limiting the downward movement of the upperdisk to a position spaced from the lower disk so as to permlt a brick to be introduced between the disks forrcleaning; and spring means for exerting an upward force against the upper disk, whereby to reduce the effective weight of the latter on a brick between the disks.

11. In a brick cleaning machine, a clean-n ing unit comprising: a pair of cleaning disks; means for mounting the disks for rotation about a vertical axis while rendering the upper disk axially movable so that it will be normally urged downwardly by its own -weight;-means for limiting the downward movement of theupper disk to a position spaced from the lower disk so as to permit a brick to be introduced between the disks for cleaning; spring means for exerting an upward force against the upper disk, whereby to reduce the effective weight of the latter on a brick between the disks; and means for adjusting the loading of the spring means, whereby to vary the force exerted thereby and hence vary the effective weight of the upper disk on the brick.

12. In a brick cleaning machine, a cleaning unit comprising: a pair of cleaning disks; a shaft to which one of the disks is fixed; a sleeve to which the other disk is fixed, telescopically receiving the shaft; means co-acting with the sleeve to mountthe disks for rotation about a vertical} axis so that the weight of the upper disk will be imposed on,

GUY G. NOBLE) OLIN P. coroner, 

